Art Project
Art Project
2022 Visual Arts Exhibition Series
Cheryl Avenel-Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity council; Judy Beckman: vocal music, Big Stone Arts Council, Big Stone County Historical Society, Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce CEO; Cheri Buzzeo: theater, music, The Barn Theatre administration, Willmar Main St participant; Jessica Welu: writing, music, SW Regional Development Commission; Anna Johannsen: fiber artist, art teacher, Remick Gallery board, president of Windom Women's Investment group, treasurer of Cottonwood County Animal Rescue, officer of Cotton Quilters; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; David KelseyBassett: visual artist, musician, Hinterland Art Crawl board; Shawn Kinsinger: theater director, actor, musician, Palace Theatre executive director, Green Earth Players vice president, Luverne Street Music board member, Luverne High School Theater artistic director; Darlene Kotelnicki: theater, city council, library board. Cheryl Avenel Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity Council volunteer; Alison Nelson: art, music, and dance teacher, KMS Community Ed director, Kerkhoven Fire Department Auxiliary fundraiser; Anne O'Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill work; Michele Huggins: Granite Area Arts Council treasurer and volunteer, member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, founding member of ACHALA; Betsy Pardick: musician, actor, Dept. of Public Transformation committees; Kristine Shelstad: visual arts, Madison Mercantile art gallery, Madison Arts Council, Lac qui Parle Players; VFW; Michele Knife Sterner: theater (actor), SMSU Associate director for Access Opportunity Success program; Erica Volkir: performing arts, Pipestone Performing Arts Center board, Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB director; Mark Wilmes: Lake Benton Opera House board president, actor/director, musician, reporter;
Cat Abbott Meier, visual art; Ashlyn Cox, visual art; Bob Dorlac visual art; Anna Johannsen, fiber arts, SMAC board; Paula Nemes, theater, music; Zachary Ploeger, music, theater; Sheila Tabaka, theater
ACHF Arts Access
Audiences of the Exhibition Series will have access to the arts by a reduction in geography and physical barriers. They will expand their knowledge of MN artists and art methodologies. Becoming more familiar with the artists and their processes will aid in expanding audience understanding of others' experiences and expand capacity for empathy. Experiencing the process of education and meeting artists will inspire future engagement in the arts. The Exhibition Series is also important to artists as it allows them to increase their professional visibility, reach new audiences, and create new work. It is vital for artists within our region specifically, as there are few opportunities for them to showcase their work locally. Interactive surveys at the exhibit ask viewers to select from several response choices that are representative of their experience of the exhibit and venue. Anecdotal feedback is also recorded in the exhibition guest log which invites guests to sign their name and leave feedback. Artists who exhibited are also given an anonymous online survey to leave feedback about their experience working with the gallery and whether or not this was beneficial in their career in terms of making new work, increasing their professional visibility, and reaching new audiences. Success is measured by a 15% increase in reception attendance and viewership over the previous year as well as a majority of positive feedback from audience members and artists.
This project has become a very popular addition to our community's annual celebration. Our cast size nearly doubled since last year, and so did our audience. People returned on the second evening to see the show again because they enjoyed it so much. The outdoor setting has its challenges but it also is more relaxed and welcoming to people who may not otherwise attend. Participants and their parents reported students had "found their calling", "finally found a niche", and "does this all the time in her bedroom anyway, so glad she can finally be on stage!" Students are already asking what next year's show will be and putting out their own ideas. We love that they are looking forward to the next production, and feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.